Anxiety decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, finding that the Veteran's condition did not pre-exist or develop during active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and depression, was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no service connection decision is made as the claim has been closed.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. Service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy and right lower extremity neuropathy are denied, while a rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 28, 2017, is denied, but from that date a 40 percent rating is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings, lack of VA treatment records, and need for further medical opinions regarding the etiology of any present psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder have been rated at 70 percent since December 2003. The Board finds that the current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's son, the Appellant, is granted Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under Chapter 35 for academic enrollment from August 1995 to December 1999. The issue of whether a clear and unmistakable error occurred in the May 2013 rating decision determining the effective date of basic eligibility to DEA benefits is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and tinnitus due to new evidence requiring a VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including paranoid schizophrenia, finding that the Veteran's current mental health conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for various disabilities and mental health conditions. The Veteran's dental disability is not due to trauma or disease such as osteomyelitis, while his bilateral foot, varicose veins, gastrointestinal, and psychiatric conditions are being evaluated further.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder (claimed as PTSD) and major depressive disorder are rated at 70 percent, but the appeal is denied for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for further development of medical evidence, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's CAD is caused or aggravated by his service-connected pulmonary histoplasmosis and a psychiatric examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for coronary artery disease was denied as there was no new and material evidence received.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity vascular disease was denied as there was no new and material evidence received.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability (depression and generalized anxiety disorder) was granted due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for colorectal cancer and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between the Veteran's in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and his current conditions, nor did the medical literature support a causal link between the contaminants present at Camp Lejeune and colorectal cancer.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they are mild and controlled by medication.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim regarding whether the appellant's character of discharge from service is a bar to VA benefits. The issue of whether the appellant was insane at the time of his misconduct leading to his discharge under other than honorable conditions is also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids was denied, and the Board found that the criteria for a compensable rating were not met. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety disorder) is remanded due to lack of verification of stressors but also indicates possible secondary etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives and the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying a reported stressor.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including unspecified anxiety disorder with PTSD features and major depressive disorder, are granted. The rating for the service-connected major depressive disorder is increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through multiple letters requesting withdrawal of his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD.